The Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association and CareerSource Research Coast are creating 30 industrial manufacturing technicians. And that’s just the start.
“It’s something that’s relatively new,” said Marcello Dossantos, vice president of strategic development at CareerSource Research Coast. “There’re only 60 (training programs) across the U.S., and this is the first in Florida.”
Earlier this month the manufacturing association announced the creation of a paid apprenticeship program that will start this summer with up to 30 participants. The trainees will work with participating employers while attending classes at Indian River State College’s Corporate and Community Training Institute. So far, six employers are participating. The apprenticeship program participants will earn at least $11 an hour at the start of the program, with anticipated pay raises along the way. When they complete it, they will receive nationally-recognized credentials to work in manufacturing.
The program came about after the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County reported last year what many employers already knew – there’s a labor force skills gap for manufactures seeking workers.
According to the “2017 Treasure Coast Skills Gap Study,” released in February last year, 62 percent of surveyed manufacturers reported having difficulties finding workers with the right skills for the available jobs; this at a time when they most need to add employees. More than 90 percent of local manufacturers reported they need and plan to add workers.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity recently released its March jobs report. St. Lucie County had a not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 4.6 percent last month. That’s down from 5 percent the previous year. There were about 150,000 jobs in St. Lucie and Martin counties in March, up almost 1,500 over the year.
The math means employers need to attract sidelined workers and get new ones skilled to meet their needs. The hope is the apprenticeship program will accomplish this quickly. “Manufacturing is still adding jobs,” Dossantos said.
Dossantos said the Workforce Readiness Task Force – which grew out of the 2017 Skills Gap Initiative formed after the report – recommended creation of the apprenticeship program. It’s funded by a $488,000 grant from CareerSource Florida. The participants will learn the generalized skills manufacturers need in classrooms as they learn specific ones employers need on the job.
“I want to alert the parents this is available, because this is going to be ongoing,” Dossantos said.
Susan Haggard, CareerSource’s sector strategy coordinator, is seeking more employers to participate in the program.
Those interested in applying to participate in the program should contact Nadege Pierre at CareerSource Research Coast, (866) 482-4473 Ext. 508, or email npierre@careersourcerc.com.